NeoCon Presentation Description: Most workplaces, educational buildings, healthcare facilities, etc. are investing in creating an outdoor space for the occupants of their buildings. Why? As school districts and pediatricians recognize the risk factors associated with sitting in desks all day long, as well as those added on by lack of access to sunlight and fresh air, designers in the education space have investigated alternative learning spaces that allow students to get out of their desks and into the great outdoors. Meeting and learning outdoors creates a people/student first environment. Creating intentional spaces for collaboration and learning has been shown to improve mental, physical, and emotional health. In this course, we will discuss the importance of including outdoor learning environments in educational facilities, risks of excluding these types of spaces, and the relationship to physical health, mental wellbeing, and academic performance.
Kevin Johnson
VP of Sales
Ghent
Kevin Johnson is Vice President of Sales at Ghent, guiding sales strategy, market channel development, and highâperforming sales and customer experience teams. With nearly 20 years in customer experience, sales, and leadership, heâs a thoughtful communicator and natural relationship builder. As part of the senior leadership team, he balances strategy, change management, and disciplined execution. Previously, Kevin was Market Vice President at APG; earlier he served on GMiâs Customer Experience team and as a trainer at a major automotiveâsoftware company. A University of Dayton graduate and Cincinnati native, he enjoys time with his wife, Claire, and four children.
Danielle Cleveland, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP BD+C
Project Designer
LPA Design Studios
Danielle Cleveland, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP BD+C
Danielle Cleveland is a licensed landscape architect, and project designer with LPA Design Studios. With over 20 years of design experience in education, civic, corporate and healthcare projects, Danielle brings a research-based approach and a passion for designing nature-based outdoor environments that promote wellness for all users, acknowledging physical or mental variability for equal chance to thrive. She works closely with LPAâs in-house research team to provide evidence-based design solutions that help clients plan purposeful learning and work environments for wellness, understanding their needs and providing creative, budget-conscious design solutions that engage each user.
This content will not be available until 06/07/2026 at 8:00 AM (EDT)
